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There are only two known recordings of the vocalisations – or ‘voices’ - of the West Coast Community killer whales. Last week, these rare recordings were shared with the British Library to be placed in their archives and preserved for future generations alongside the sounds of extinct species and lost human languages.
Read MoreCasting your eye over a calm sea, you’d be forgiven for thinking life beneath the waves is peaceful and serene…it’s anything but! HWDT provide acoustic data to artists and musicians who raise awareness of the soundscape beneath the waves and the importance of noise to marine life. Here we share two recent collaborations with artists who have utilised the sounds we’ve recorded during monitoring expeditions to create beautiful songs of the sea.
Read MoreKiller whales, also known as orcas, are one of the most easily recognised species in Scottish waters. We dive into why this apex predator is so many people’s favourite dolphin.
Read MoreFrom 24 - 28 April, our education team jumped aboard Silurian, our research vessel, to transform her into our popular floating classroom. Our Education and Sightings Officer, Sadie, shares the fun everyone had - not least the pupils visiting but the HWDT team on board Silurian.
Read MoreOur third research expedition of 2023 left Tobermory for a seven-day survey monitoring the waters off the west coast of Scotland on board Silurian, our research vessel. The team circumnavigated the Isle of Skye, encountering five species of marine mammal. The volunteer team on board recount the expedition…
Read MoreOur second research expedition of 2023 left Tobermory for a seven-day survey monitoring the Hebridean marine environment on board Silurian - our research vessel. Things got off to a rolly start but calm seas prevailed allowing the group to collect vital visual and acoustic data. The volunteer team on board recall their expedition…
Read MoreSince 2002, our research vessel, Silurian, has been collecting information of international importance on marine life in the Hebrides. A recognisable and familiar presence off Scotland’s west coast, Silurian and her teams of citizen scientists have worked hard, monitoring and protecting areas of critical habitat for whales and dolphins, but has she always undertaken such vital work?
Read MoreHWDT’s education team are inviting local communities to join them aboard our research vessel, Silurian.
Read MoreTo protect our marine environment, we must first understand it. How do we deepen our understanding…data. HWDTs flagship, Silurian, celebrated a milestone in 2022 - marking 20 years of monitoring Hebridean seas. Read all about the 20th field season on board Silurian
Read MoreHWDT supports the Scottish Government proposals for Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs). However, we recognise that these measures need to be carefully designed and include communities at the heart of the decision-making process
Read MoreIt’s official, we’re now in Spring! The longer days and (hopefully) fairer weather are welcome and thoughts may be turning to outdoor adventures. When you’re out on a headland, gazing out over the big blue in the hopes of seeing a fin break the surface, can spotting nothing be just as rewarding?
Read MoreOn Mother’s Day, we’re taking a dive into the maternal instincts of whales, exploring how dedicated killer whale Mums are when it comes to raising young
Read MoreSince we started writing these sightings summary reports last year, for the first time our most sighted species podium has a new species. Check out what has been seen this winter and what species have made it onto the podium.
Image credit: Elaine
Read MoreOur second Winter Research Expedition of 2023 left Tobermory for a four-day survey monitoring the marine environment off the west coast of Scotland. Wild weather created some challenges for those on board Silurian - our research vessel - but the team was rewarded with an epic final day. Hannah Lightley, Science Officer on board, recalls the expedition
Read MoreA walrus has been spotted hauled out on Cairn na Burgh Beag - a small island which forms part of the Treshnish Isles, off the NW coast of the Isle of Mull. Local creel fisherman, Lorn MacRae, spotted the massive creature basking on the shore in the winter sun.
Read MoreThe Scottish Government are currently running a public consultation to seek your views on Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs). HWDT will be responding to the consultation and we hope that all stakeholders will take the opportunity to voice their views, so that the best possible outcome can be reached for whales, dolphins, porpoises and people.
Read MoreA lone bottlenose dolphin was reported off the coast of Appin, sparking investigation into who the individual may be. Thanks to the efforts of all involved, the dolphin was identified, deepening the understanding of this individual’s life story and shedding light on the movements of bottlenose dolphins around our coasts.
Read MoreOur first winter research expedition of 2023 left Tobermory for a five-day survey monitoring Hebridean waters to understand the year-round presence of marine mammals and basking sharks. Here Hannah Lightley, Science Officer on board, recalls the trip…
Read MoreEver said ‘it’s just porpoise’?
We dive into why the harbour porpoise, although small in size, deserves to be one of our favourite cetaceans in Scotland
Read MoreResearch published last month shows the extent of whale entanglements in fishing gear around Scotland and has identified potential solutions to reduce entanglements in the future.
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